Fellowship Delivers Urgent Aid to Syrian Druze and Christians
In July, the International Fellowship of Christians and Jews took swift action to support the Syrian Druze and Christians facing severe persecution in southern Syria. This situation has been described by some as a genocide carried out by jihadist groups.
The violence erupted when Syrian-backed forces, including jihadists, attacked the Druze community, leading to the tragic deaths of over 1,400 people, including Syrian American Hosam Saraya, who was visiting family in the area.
Yael Eckstein, the President and CEO of the Fellowship, expressed the urgency of their response, stating, “Once we saw what was happening in Sweida, we couldn’t just look the other way.”
Aid and Support Coordinated
The Fellowship had not operated in Syria before this year but responded to an urgent call from a hospital in Sweida, which required essential supplies like medicines and surgical equipment. They coordinated aid deliveries with the Israel Defense Forces (IDF), even supplying retired Israeli ambulances to help locals.
Sweida, a city with a majority Druze population, has become a focal point of violent attacks from Syrian Islamists loyal to President Ahmed Al-Sharaa, who has ties to extremist groups.
Reports indicate that Christians have also been targeted, including the brutal murder of Khaled Mazhar, a pastor, and several family members.
Continued Conflict and Destruction
In July, Israel took military action against the advancing forces, attempting to protect the residents of Sweida. Eckstein reported that at least 26 Druze villages suffered destruction, and the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights noted that over 30 villages were damaged by fire and violence.
Previously, in April, the Fellowship provided 1,500 food boxes to Druze communities close to Israel’s border after earlier attacks, only to have their supplies burned by extremists days later.
Despite the hostility between Israel and Syria, Eckstein says her organization aims to provide life-saving aid, highlighting a powerful message of solidarity among Jews and Christians during this crisis. “It’s a matter of good versus evil,” she asserted.
Voices of the Druze Community
Safwan Marich, associated with the Israeli Druze community, underscored the dire situation, stating, “There is a genocide going on.” He emphasized the imperative for the Druze to support their community amid the ongoing violence.
Marich has been communicating with those in Syria and highlighted a chilling incident where a man was shot simply for identifying as Druze. He noted the importance of unity in their tradition, saying it is a duty to support fellow Druze wherever they are in the world.
Marich also expressed hope for continued Israeli support for the Druze, particularly as radical groups pose a significant threat near Israel’s borders. “We need to come together as a society to protect our brothers in Syria,” he stated.
